Towns along Route 66 are being asked to submit a proposal to be an official Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off Host City when the highway marks its 100th anniversary in 2026.
The proposed kick-off date would be April 30, 2026 — the day in 1926 that the number 66 was assigned as the official number for a new Chicago to Santa Monica highway.
According to a news release from the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership:
More information from the RFP fact sheet:
The historic anniversary of the Route 66 Centennial will commence with a live, online media event combined with on-the-ground celebrations in a community selected as the Official Host of the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off. Only one city will be designated the Official Host of the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off, providing an exclusive opportunity to promote itself and attract visitors to its own Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off events and activities. Other sites along Route 66 will be virtually linked to the Host City throughout the online Kick-Off and invited to plan their own on-site celebrations.
Because of its historical significance, April 30, 2026, is the proposed date for the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off. It was that day in 1926 that “66” was assigned as the official number for a new Chicago to Santa Monica highway. Discussions regarding the proposed date are underway with Route 66 stakeholders across Route 66 and will include consultation with the selected Host City to ensure this date works well for the parties involved.
The virtual Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off will feature:
● Music, Hosts, and Other Entertainment from on-site at the Kick-Off Host City and via remote hook-up from cities across Route 66.
● A proposed National Route 66 Centennial Proclamation delivered by the president or key members of the administration.
● State Route 66 Centennial Proclamations from Route 66 state governors, Route 66 state associations, and/or state Route 66 centennial commissions/coordinating groups.
● Assuming its passage, the announcement of Route 66 as a new National Historic Trail by the Secretary of the Interior or other federal officials.
● Announcement of the designation of Route 66 as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the president of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
● Announcement of the launch of the Route 66 Centennial Caravan.
● And more…
More information can be found from the RFP below:
Designation as the Official Host City of the Route 66 Centennial Kick-Off is available for a $150,000 sponsorship, payable in one payment or spread over 2025 and 2026.
The partnership can collaborate with the selected host city to raise the required $150,000 sponsorship for Official Host City designation, but preference will be given to cities able to provide the sponsorship in full.
The selected Host City is responsible for raising all funds needed to implement on-the-ground activities or events it plans in conjunction with the virtual Kick-Off.
Applications must be completed and received by Feb. 10, 2025.
Municipalities interested in being hosts should contact Bill Thomas, chairman of the Route 66 Road Ahead Initiative, by email at wthomas@teleologic.net before Jan. 31.
(Image of a Route 66 shield on the road in Oatman, Arizona, by Vicente Villamon via Flickr)